5/4/26 – BIRTH OF HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL PUP AT KAIMANA BEACH PROMPTS COORDINATED SAFETY RESPONSE

JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR

RYAN KANAKAʻOLE  ACTING CHAIRPERSON

BIRTH OF HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL PUP AT KAIMANA BEACH PROMPTS COORDINATED SAFETY RESPONSE

HONOLULU – A Hawaiian monk seal pup was born at sundown, Sunday, May 3, on Kaimana Beach, to the 15-year-old feminine Kaiwi (RK96), who is understood to go to O‘ahu’s south shore.

Officials are reminding members of the general public that sustaining a respectful distance is crucial factor they will do to guard each our group and this endangered species.

You Can Help

• Keep canines on a leash and effectively away from seals
• Use an alternate seashore throughout the nursing interval
• Stay no less than 150 ft away from moms with pups
• Stay no less than 50 ft away from all monk seals
• Remain behind any posted indicators, cones, or boundaries
• Avoid swimming close to a mom and pup
• Use a digicam zoom or binoculars as an alternative of approaching

Report all sightings of Hawaiian monk seals to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840.

Legal Protections

Hawaiian monk seals are protected below the federal Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, in addition to state legislation. It is prohibited to disturb, harass, feed, or in any other case hurt a monk seal. Violations could end in fines or felony penalties.

Public Safety Advisories

• While monk seals are usually not aggressive, mom seals are giant and highly effective and might be very protecting of their younger, as evidenced by a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and mom seal at Kaimana Beach that left the swimmer with lacerations to her face, again and an arm.
• Ocean customers, particularly swimmers and surfers, are strongly suggested to decide on alternate places for his or her actions throughout the five-to-seven-week nursing interval, to keep away from sudden and probably harmful encounters.
• Approaching too carefully within the water considerably will increase your threat of harm. Seals can transfer shortly and with out warning – and interactions within the ocean might escalate earlier than you could have time to react.

Multi-agency Response

To cut back threat to each individuals and wildlife, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and Hawai‘i Marine Animal Response (HMAR), are coordinating efforts with the City and County of Honolulu, together with the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD), the Honolulu Police Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation, in addition to Outrigger Canoe Club, Sans Souci and Kaimana Beach Hotel.

• HMAR has put in protecting fencing to create a buffer space on the shoreline, permitting the mom and pup to relaxation with out stress from crowds; HMAR might be monitoring the mother and pup’s behaviors and actions.
• NOAA Fisheries will rigorously monitor each seals’ well being and progress all through the five-to-seven-week nursing interval.
• The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and companion companies will assist keep a 50-yard buffer within the water when sources enable.

Critical Nursing Period Underway

For the subsequent 5 to seven weeks, the pair will keep collectively whereas the pup nurses and positive aspects the required energy to outlive when mom Kaiwi departs. During this time, the pup is weak and depending on its mom for survival.

Human disturbance throughout this era can have critical and lasting penalties. If repeatedly confused, a nursing mom could abandon her pup, considerably decreasing its probabilities of survival. In addition, younger seals are extremely impressionable. Close human interplay can result in habituation, the place the animal loses its pure wariness of individuals. Wild seals that get used to individuals can lose the instincts they should survive and may turn out to be harmful as they develop bigger and stronger. Staying away retains everybody secure and provides seals a greater probability to dwell within the wild.

Background

The mom seal, Kaiwi, was herself born on O‘ahu and has successfully raised pups along the Kaiwi Coast in previous years. Kaiwi is the second Hawaiian monk seal to use Kaimana Beach for pupping, following Rocky’s (RH58) first documented delivery at this website in 2017.

While these occasions spotlight the success of ongoing community-based restoration efforts, additionally they require heightened consciousness and cooperation from the general public as a result of excessive stage of human and seal exercise at this location.

Kaiwi’s earlier pups:

• 2024 – RT96 (Paʻaki), feminine born on Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī
• 2023 – RS36 (Pualani), feminine born on Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī
• 2021 – RP96 (Lōliʻi), male born on Kaimana Beach, Waikīkī
• 2020 – RM26 (Nohea), feminine born alongside Kaiwi shoreline
• 2018 – RK24 (Wāwāmalu), male born alongside Kaiwi shoreline
• 2016 – RH36 (Kawena), feminine born alongside Kaiwi shoreline

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RESOURCES
(All pictures/video courtesy: DLNR)

NOAA Frequent Questions: Hawaiian Monk Seal Mothers and Pups internet web page:

Photographs and movies – Hawaiian monk seal Kaiwi (RK96) and her pup, May 04, 2026:

 

Media Contact:
Andrew Laurence
Communications Director
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: 808-587-0396
E-mail: [email protected]